Abia State has emerged the overall champion of the maiden edition of the South East Zonal Open Weightlifting Championship, finishing top of the medals table with eight gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
The championship, which brought together weightlifters from the five South East states, ended on Friday, with the closing ceremony held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Umuahia Township Stadium, Abia State.
Abia dominated several of the male categories, recording impressive performances across the competition to secure a total of 10 medals.
Imo State finished second with two gold, three silver and one bronze medal, while Ebonyi State came third with five silver and one bronze medal. Anambra State recorded three silver and one bronze medal, while Enugu State secured three bronze medals.
Abia’s gold medalists included Innocent Onyedikachi, who emerged winner of the 65kg male category with a total lift of 240kg; Divine Emmanuel, who won the 55kg category with 155kg; Vitalitis Eze, who claimed the 60kg category with 205kg; and Obinna Bright, who topped the 70kg category with 255kg.
Others were Emmanuel Stella, who won the 57kg female category with 162kg; Marvellous Obionna, winner of the 75kg category with 234kg; Bernard Obinna Felix, who took gold in the 85kg category with 295kg; and Madu Joseph, who emerged winner of the 110kg category with 261kg.
Abia’s Cynthia Lawrence won silver in the 53kg female category after recording a total lift of 70kg, while Sunday Rejoice secured bronze in the 49kg female category with 62kg.
Imo State’s gold medals came through Anthony Onyenaobi Chidiamara in the 49kg female category, with a total lift of 72kg, and Nwokeleme Chikodi in the 53kg female category, with 92kg.
In other categories, Anambra’s Chukwuka Morka won silver in the 65kg male category with 180kg, while Chimobi Igwe took silver in the 55kg category with 140kg and Chidume Nwabuife secured bronze in the 60kg category with 135kg.
Ebonyi’s Chibuike Chukwu won silver in the 75kg category with 232kg, while Enugu’s Ndubuisi Munachi Dominic won bronze with 90kg.
In the 85kg category, Anambra’s Samson Chigozie secured silver with 180kg, while Enugu’s Aguyi Michael Chirmere took bronze after lifting 177kg.
The 110kg category saw Abia’s Madu Joseph take first position with 261kg, followed by Imo’s Akosa Ebubech, who also recorded 261kg, while Ebonyi’s Saviour Timothy finished third with 180kg.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, who represented the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Sir Nwaobilor Nwadinma, said the championship demonstrated the growing standard of weightlifting in the South East.
George said Abia’s athletes had performed creditably well, adding that the state had continued to invest in talent discovery and development.
“Sincerely speaking, I have seen improved performance in South East weightlifters. Abia athletes have performed creditably well. In Abia, when we tap talent, we groom and define their direction. Weightlifting is gradually picking up,” he said.
The Director of Sports said the state had competent coaches and the necessary equipment to develop athletes, stressing that its grassroots scouting system remained an important part of its sports development strategy.
According to him, the state was paying particular attention to discovering young talents and providing them with the necessary training to compete at higher levels.
George also commended the participation of the various South East states, saying the championship provided an opportunity for athletes across the zone to test their abilities and identify areas requiring further development.
Speaking on Abia’s hosting of the zonal championship, he said the initiative had received commendation from the South East Coordinator of the National Sports Commission and representatives of participating states.
He said the development of sports in the state under Governor Alex Otti had created renewed opportunities for athletes, coaches and other stakeholders in the sector.
George quoted stakeholders as expressing appreciation to Governor Otti for what they described as efforts towards strengthening sports development in the South East, adding that “through Abia, the South East will stand tall.”
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, South East Zone, Chief Bernard Ezema, commended the athletes, coaches, officials and the Abia State Government for supporting the maiden edition of the competition.
Ezema said the championship would help create a structured platform for identifying promising athletes who could represent the zone and Nigeria in future national and international competitions.
He encouraged participating states to sustain investment in weightlifting and other sporting disciplines, particularly at the grassroots, where young talents could be identified and nurtured.
The closing ceremony featured the presentation of medals and recognition to athletes who distinguished themselves throughout the championship.
Medals were presented by World Record Holder in Powerlifting and Commonwealth Champion, Esther Nworgu, Abia State Director of Sports, Comrade Obioma George, South East Zonal Coordinator of the National Sports Commission, Chief Bernard Ezema, Coach Sunday Omogbai, and other dignitaries.
THE WHISTLER reports that the maiden South East Zonal Open Weightlifting Championship was organised as part of efforts to discover, nurture and expose emerging weightlifting talents to higher levels of competition.
